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  1. #1
    Puppy
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    Older dog-health concerns - Heavy Breathing

    Just curious as to how Laryngeal Paralysis is diagnosed. I have 2 labs and the older one (12 years old last October) has been having difficulty with breathing. He pants a LOT and sometimes quite hard. His cough has become horse over the last several months. His back legs are also quite week, as he has difficulty getting up. He's also quite restless a lot of the time and just cant seem to relax. Any suggestions? Our vet thinks he has back problems and he takes pain pills that offer little difference.

  2. #2
    Senior Dog
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    To accurately diagnose it, they sedate the dog and put a scope down the throat to visually examine the larynx. That said, your dogs symptoms do sound a lot like LP. Jolie and now Mulder most likely had/have a fairly mild case. They never coughed (or cough in Mulder's case) but both had a lot of noisy breathing and Jolie in particular was very weak in the rear. The restlessness is not necessarily typical of LP - that's more likely to be pain. There's nothing to say that he can't have both back problems and LP though as both are quite common in elderly Labs.

    The problem is, outside of surgery there isn't really much you can do about it if it is LP other than manage the symptoms by keeping them cool (heat makes it worse), calm (excitement makes it worse) and by using a harness instead of a collar to avoid putting more pressure on the neck. If it gets to the point where you can't manage the symptoms but the dog is otherwise doing well, then it might be time to consider surgery, although that won't help the legs at all, just the breathing.

    If you want to know for sure, then consult a specialist ....
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    Cookie (HIT HC Jamrah's Legally Blonde, UDX, OM2, BN) 6/4/2015
    Sassy (HIT Jamrah's Blonde Ambition, UDX, OM2, BN) 6/4/2015

    Chloe (HIT HC OTCH Windsong's Femme Fatale, UDX4, OM6, RE) 6/7/2009

    And remembering:

    Scully (HC Coventry's Truth Is Out There, UD, TD, RN) 4/14/1996 - 6/30/2011
    Mulder (Coventry's I Want To Believe, UD, RN, WC) 5/26/1999 - 4/22/2015

    And our foster Jolie (Windsong's Genuine Risk, CDX) 5/26/1999 - 3/16/2014

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  3. #3
    Real Retriever Moby and Barley's Mom's Avatar
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    My 13 year has heavy breathing as well ever since he has surgery last April. His back legs are also stiff with arthritis. Sometimes he will sound like he is choking and coughing like an old man in the middle of the night. He has a vet checkup up coming but it does not really seem to hold him back much. I worry that your dog's restlessness is pain. My dog is not in pain but when he has been, he has been very restless. What does the vet say?
    Forever in my heart - Sweet gentle Moby - lover of belly rubs, bacon, and Barbara 9-10-2001 to 11-2-2015

  4. #4
    Chief Pooper Scooper JenC's Avatar
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    LP causes leg wasting which is completely different from arthritis in legs. We didn't actually diagnose LP in Hudler, but instead they ruled out everything else. He also had spondylosis in his spine.

    We gave him pain meds. But eventually he couldn't really get up anymore to go potty. Our vet wouldn't even recommend the surgery on an older dog. Hudler had a hard time relaxing, my husband used to lie on the floor with him rubbing him until he fell asleep.

  5. #5
    Senior Dog Snowshoe's Avatar
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    Those could also be symptoms of congestive heart failure. Probably other things too but heart is one I'm familiar with.

  6. #6
    Puppy
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    My vet just says he has back problems and that he is getting old. She checks his liver periodically to make sure the pain meds dont increase his liver count. I just wish there was more that could be done for the restlessness. If I'm watching tv and he happens to be resting on the floor and I get up to do something, so does he. If I move, he gets up and is right under foot.

  7. #7
    House Broken bearbuddymarie's Avatar
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    Restlessnesz can be ccd canine cognitive dysfunction
    I have been using this for my buddy (13) and it helps
    Amazon.com : Cholodin Canine 180 Chewable Tablets : Cholodin For Dogs : Pet Supplies

  8. #8
    House Broken Lainie's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by 2sillylabs View Post
    Just curious as to how Laryngeal Paralysis is diagnosed. I have 2 labs and the older one (12 years old last October) has been having difficulty with breathing. He pants a LOT and sometimes quite hard. His cough has become horse over the last several months. His back legs are also quite week, as he has difficulty getting up. He's also quite restless a lot of the time and just cant seem to relax. Any suggestions? Our vet thinks he has back problems and he takes pain pills that offer little difference.
    Jessie has the same symptoms with panting, hoarseness & occasionally what I believe is reverse sneezing. She has a lot of lumps & one of them is in her throat where her trachea & broncha branch. Because of her age, we are reluctant to have surgery so we bought her a nice harness that has wide straps & the material is quite soft rather than hard leather. It has helped a lot. The vet says we must watch the lump doesn't get bigger. We also understand that heavy panting can indicate pain.
    Unrelated, but again like your dog, she groans when she gets up & down. So this is a tough one, isn't it? Jessie's back always was a bit touchy for no reason we know of but in January she was attacked by 3 dogs & one was on her back & bit her severely in the muscle over her hip. We wonder if her already sensitive back is now chronic. Vet suggested a dog chiropractor. Ummmm, we're thinking about it. Try the harness...I hope it helps & I hope it isn't LP.

 



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